Nari slumped against the counter, vision swimming from Reyn's drugs. Her hand reaches across the blood-slicked surface toward her backend console. Behind her, Ha-jun's blade clashes against violet spells in a storm of qi.

Nari's hand makes contact with the console. The backend interface blooms around her. Green text streams across her vision as she accesses the publish function.

Nari's memories flash—customer after customer, desperate faces, hungry people who just wanted to live.

The Administrator's offer replays in Nari's mind—'live forever, cook for kings.'

Ha-jun bleeds for her. She remembers him choosing her before she was useful.

Reyn's face—the man who never understood why anyone would refuse him.

Nari's hand moves to the publish function. The interface shows everything she's about to release.

Nari's finger touches the PUBLISH button. One keystroke. Everything changes.

The publish ripples outward. Classed terminals across the city begin to scream with green text.

Close-up on the terminal screens. Green text displays the parasite truth and recipes.

Reyn's face as he watches his monopoly shatter. His expression turns cold with fury.

The Administrator's cold response. A new protocol begins.

Nari's realization—the scarcity died. She's dangerous or free. Or both.

Ha-jun appears at the counter. He sees what she's done. He doesn't ask if she regrets it.

Reyn turns to kill her in his final rage. Ha-jun holds the line.

The duel between Ha-jun and Reyn continues. The food truck becomes a battlefield.

Nari watches from the floor. She's too weak to stand, but she hasn't let go of the ladle.

The first light of dawn breaks through the shattered windows. The city glows green with truth.

Classed survivors across the city react to the truth. Some will come for her. Some will thank her.

Nari's eyes close. She's done. The most exhausting thing she's ever done.

Ha-jun watches over her. He stays. Not because of an oath. Because he chose her.

The Administrator's final message. A warning and a promise.

The city at dawn. Classed survivors reading the truth. The System adapting.

Chapter 9 ends. Nari sleeps. Ha-jun watches. Dawn breaks. The truck waits.